#Japan #Disaster Management #Vacan #Noto Town

Digital Transformation of Disaster Evacuation in Noto Town

In response to increasing natural disasters, a significant shift towards the digitalization of evacuation processes is crucial for enhancing safety and efficiency during emergencies. On October 5, 2025, Noto Town, in collaboration with VACAN Inc., implemented a digital evacuation management system during a disaster training exercise held at Matsunami Elementary School's gymnasium.

The Importance of Disaster Preparedness

The growing frequency of natural disasters necessitates innovative approaches to manage evacuations effectively. VACAN has been at the forefront of offering solutions like real-time congestion information and evacuation center maps, which have been employed in over 200 municipalities across Japan to visualize congestion. This latest initiative aims to explore advanced methods of digital check-in for residents and highlight the advantages of utilizing such technologies during emergencies.

Overview of the Evacuation Drill

On the specified day, residents were prompted by a simulated earthquake (magnitude 7.6) originating from the Noto Peninsula, followed by a tsunami warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Volunteers experienced the digitalized check-in process offered through VACAN’s system instead of the traditional paper forms. This involved:
1. Using a QR code to access a web form for personal details input.
2. Utilizing a card reader for identification through My Number cards or driver’s licenses.
3. Engaging with the evacuation process through VACAN’s LINE official account to complete registration.
4. Completing the check-in using the traditional paper method, where staff would subsequently enter information into the system.

The drill allowed participants to experience firsthand how modern technology can enhance efficiency in emergencies. Feedback collected indicated positive responses, with 62% satisfaction rates for the QR web form check-in and 100% for the LINE application. Notably, younger adults were found to favor digital methods, particularly LINE and web forms.

About the Evacuation Management System

The evacuation management system leveraged for this drill integrates multiple services on a single platform. Features include "VACAN Maps," which provide real-time updates on the location and congestion status of evacuation centers, and "VACAN Console," which offers administrative tools for real-time data capture and visualization. This allows emergency responders to manage influxes of evacuees without additional, manual work while enabling residents to choose optimal evacuation sites based on current data.

Future Prospects

Building on this digital reform, VACAN aims to enhance further functionalities like managing evacuation data, integrating external systems, predicting supply requirements for affected residents, and facilitating the seamless transfer of information across services. The ultimate goal is to support not only disaster evacuations but also everyday applications such as public facility reservations and information sharing for events, thereby creating a responsive community infrastructure.

About VACAN Inc.

Company Name: VACAN Inc.
CEO: Tsuyoshi Kawano
Location: 3F Nakarin Auto Building, 2-8-4 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0033
Established: June 2016
Website: VACAN Corp

Recognized as a "J-Startup 2019" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, VACAN is committed to harnessing technology to improve the coexistence of people and spaces. The company's core mission focuses on upgrading public experiences through congestion and crowd management, establishing a robust platform for living spaces and local communities.